Wildlife photography requires a camera capable of high ISO performance and multiple frames per second shooting. These features will help capture birds in flight or other hunting behaviors such as pouncing.
If you want to skip the reviews, we say get the Sony A7 IV.
Best Mirrorless Camera For Wildlife Photography Reviews
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
- Multi-selector (Joystick) for quick selection of the AF area while looking through viewfinder
- Dust proof/Slash proof/Freeze proof magnesium alloy weather sealed construction
- 50MP handheld high resolution shot
- 60 FPS (S-AF), 18 fps (C-AF tracking) continuous shooting with the silent electronic shutter
- 121 point all cross type on chip phase detection plus contrast detection AF
Olympus E-M1 Mark III is an incredible technological marvel, packing an amazing variety of features into its compact camera body. The image stabilization system is impressive and this camera excels across several genres of photography.
While its Micro Four Thirds sensor may be smaller than those found in competing Nikon D500 and Canon EOS-1D X Mark II cameras, it still manages to resolve high levels of detail despite having lower ISO sensitivities – perfect for wildlife photography where Olympus’s technology takes full advantage of its sensor size by producing incredible image quality images.
Olympus E-M1 offers an outstanding AF system, featuring excellent face and eye detection that’s made all the more impressive by its large viewfinder, which provides bright and detailed displays with a magnification of 0.74x.
In addition, the Olympus E-M1 boasts an incredible burst rate of 18fps when using mechanical shuttering compared to 60fps when using electronic shuttering – impressive numbers for any mirrorless camera!
You can capture action scenes at impressive speed using this fast burst rate! This powerful combo gives you incredible flexibility as you capture each frame individually before selecting what makes sense!
Olympus E-M1 video shooters will appreciate its HDMI and headphone sockets for connecting external mics or headphones, recording full HD and 4K footage and supporting various file formats (OM-Log, etc). Furthermore, there are two SD card slots with one supporting UHS-II speeds.
Olympus has made some subtle but noticeable modifications to the E-M1 Mark III from its predecessor, most significantly its button and dial layout.
Most significantly, Olympus removed Fn1, Fn2, and Fn3 labels from its customizable function buttons and replaced them with direct functions like ISO, exposure compensation, and red recording movie button for an overall more minimalist and intuitive design.
Additionally, this camera’s Live ND Shooting mode enables users to create the effect of a neutral density filter by decreasing light entering their lens, providing you with more control when shooting deliberate movement or using it together with Image Stabilisation for sharp results.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
- 20 MP Live MOS Sensor
- Always-on connection and background connection via Bluetooth & OI Share Smartphone app
- Flip-down monitor and dedicated Selfie mode. Selfie mode automatically turns on when monitor is flipped...
- In-Body 5-Axis Image Stabilization capable of 4.5 shutter speed steps of compensation
- 16 Art Filters (31 types). Includes new Instant Film for a nostalgic feel
Olympus is an established name in Micro Four Thirds cameras, and their E-M10 Mark IV makes for an impressive entry-level model. Although its sensor may be smaller than competitors’ offerings, its in-body image stabilization enables you to maintain lower ISO values for sharper images.
Furthermore, Olympus provides an extensive selection of lenses as well as above-average battery life in this model.
Olympus’ OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is an attractive option for budding photographers. Its attractive design combines analog aesthetics with modern controls, with knurled dials and a silver finish giving it a high-quality feel. Plus, its compact size makes it great for traveling.
The E-M10 offers an impressive variety of features, such as its impressive autofocus system using contrast detection instead of phase detection, which limits its ability to track moving subjects but still remains among the top systems available.
Furthermore, there’s also a digital teleconverter button that downscales images to five megapixels and then upsamples them back to 20 megapixels; making this camera perfect for low-light photography.
Olympus has long been known for producing top-quality JPEG output from their cameras, and this can be seen in their E-M10 Mark IV photographs.
Metering, color rendition, and automatic white balance all function properly here as can be seen through each shot taken with it. Furthermore, there are Art Filters you can apply with just a tap on the screen!
One area in which the E-M10 falls short is its lack of weather sealing, which could pose a problem when traveling; however, using a weatherproof cover could easily solve this issue.
One potential drawback with the E-M10’s single battery door, however, can be its difficulty opening and closing with gloves on.
This makes changing batteries during video shoots or tripod use challenging; however, this is a common problem among small mirrorless cameras and you should purchase extra batteries in case this proves problematic for you.
Nikon Z 6II
- Mirrorless versatility on a whole new level. 24.5MP BSI resolution that excels in low light. 14 FPS...
- Full frame. Full pixel readout. Full featured 4K UHD Video. Top of the line video performance with 4K UHD...
- Dual card slots (CFexpress/XQD plus UHS-II SD). Flexibility and peace of mind when shooting important...
- Vertical Grip Ready. Now compatible with the new vertical battery grip for those in need of more power...
- One mount accepts them all. Compatible with a growing line of NIKKOR Z lenses as well as approx. 360...
Nikon’s Z 6II improves upon its predecessor by offering some welcome improvements and will appeal to enthusiast photographers across the board. Ideal for landscape, portrait, documentary, and social photography as well as sports and wildlife photography thanks to improved autofocus capabilities.
Eye AF is an especially useful feature and feels just as quick to lock onto faces and eyes as competitor cameras such as Sony A7 III. Although sometimes slow to refocus after being repositioned, otherwise this feature works great and fulfills its task efficiently.
273 phase-detection AF points cover 90% of the frame, with the option for using a smaller “Pinpoint AF” area which can be manually set at any specific point on the frame.
Focus Peaking and Face/Eye Detection AF are available as manual focusing aids; in addition, an Aids menu offers various tools that help simplify manual focusing such as toggle for lens aberration reduction as well as noise reduction settings in low light situations.
There is also a Sports mode, enabling 14fps shooting (compared to 12fps in the original Z6) while clearing its buffer quicker. Furthermore, this camera boasts a second SD card slot as a backup and comes equipped with additional control buttons for continuous burst photography.
Nikon has done an outstanding job of designing the Z 6II to be an extremely versatile camera with superior image quality compared to DSLRs, yet remaining compact enough for one-handed operation for extended use.
Unfortunately, it remains quite heavy compared to competing products on the market and is not ideal for prolonged exposures with one-hand use.
At $2000, this mirrorless camera may seem expensive compared to others available; however, its price makes up for itself in value terms compared to similar offerings on the market.
Therefore, it should be taken seriously by Nikon DSLR holdouts, Z6 upgraders, and first-time mirrorless buyers looking for an all-purpose all-weather solution capable of handling most subjects with ease.
Canon EOS 90D
![Canon DSLR Camera [EOS 90D] with Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DIGIC 8 Image Processor, 4K Video, Dual...](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51egQGBklgL.jpg "Best Mirrorless Camera For Wildlife Photography in 2023 17")
- High image quality with 32.5 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor
- High-speed continuous shooting of up to 10 fps with no time Lag during ovf shooting
- 4K UHD 30P/ Full HD 120P video
- 45-Point All Cross-type AF System supports up to 27 points with an F/8 metering
- Use the EOS Utility Webcam Beta Software (Mac and Windows) to turn your Canon camera into a high-quality...
The Canon EOS 90D is their most powerful mid-range DSLR to date. Keeping many features from its predecessor – body, side-hinged screen, and optical viewfinder – in tact while upgrading its sensor resolution from 18.7 Megapixels (the predecessor model was the 80D) to 32.5 Megapixels for impressive cropping and print sizes, and fast and accurate autofocusing even when following moving subjects.
A newly added DPAF system delivers faster focusing times when tracking moving subjects than its predecessor did.
Sports and wildlife photographers will appreciate the camera’s fast 10 fps continuous shooting frame rate as a major advantage, making it easier to capture those perfect body or ball positions, which in turn makes a significant impactful difference in print-ready images.
Furthermore, it matches up perfectly with high-end Canon DSLRs such as 7D Mark II while still outstripping current professional grade APS-C model EOS-1D X Mark II!
Key features include the ability to record uncropped 4K video at 25 or 30p and take advantage of various advanced recording settings. Furthermore, its 220K RGB + IR metering sensor ensures accurate exposures and skin tone detection allowing you to get perfect portraits every time.
For those looking for a hands-off shooting experience, the 90D offers its Smart Auto mode, which takes care of all shooting details for you.
Leveraging its DIGIC 8 processor and scene recognition data to select appropriate settings based on what subject or scene is being captured allows users to focus on getting their composition right while leaving camera details to their own devices.
The EOS 90D is weather sealed for optimal performance in harsh outdoor conditions and comes out unscathed from being out there in the field. Constructed of aluminum alloy and polycarbonate resin with glass fiber construction, its robustness should make it suitable for most amateur photographers’ use cases.
This camera comes equipped with a powerful LP-E6N battery to extend shooting sessions without worrying about recharging it. Furthermore, Canon offers its Camera Connect app which makes transferring files from camera to smartphone convenient when photographing wildlife or sharing pictures among friends.
Sony A9 / A9 II
- SONY ALPHA A9 II: Compact professional cameras mastered for sports photography and photojournalism
- SUPERIOR SPEED: Fastest 35mm full-frame 24. 2MP stacked Exmore RS CMOS sensor with integrated memory
- FASTER AUTO FOCUS: Up to 20fps at full resolution with 60 AF/AE tracking calculations per second
- ADVANCED SUBJECT RECOGNITION: Real-time Tracking and Real-Time Eye AF for humans, animals and movies
- VOICE MEMO FUNCTION: Attach a voice memo (. wav) to photo files or use voice to text for IPTC data
The Sony A9 mirrorless full-frame camera boasts superior performance and a large sensor, making it one of the most sought-after options for action sports photography and wildlife photography, among other demanding applications.
Now with key upgrades over its predecessor, its successor A9 II makes for an equally worthy upgrade option.
The A9 II’s most noticeable and significant upgrade is its Light Flicker Avoidance technology. This can be especially helpful if shooting under artificial lighting sources where flickering may produce unwanted artifacts in images.
Another significant upgrade in its AF speed and accuracy. The A9 II features a hybrid focus point that can lock onto subjects in both wide and narrow regions of the frame for quick tracking of fast-moving subjects without losing them.
Furthermore, this model boasts double the previous model’s continuous mechanical shutter frame rate at 10fps for improved capture rates when shooting action shots.
The camera features a newly designed electronic viewfinder that is larger than its predecessor, making it easier to see more of the frame and quickly locate your subject, especially when using long focal length lenses.
Furthermore, low-light autofocus mode improves autofocus performance in challenging lighting conditions.
Sony A9 II is an advanced and capable mirrorless camera for serious professionals who shoot under challenging conditions, offering advanced features. Although its steep learning curve may seem intimidating initially, its powerful capabilities will repay any effort invested to master its advanced features.
Ultimately, if you already own an A9 it would probably not make financial sense to upgrade to an A9 II.
With the great resale value of the original model A9, spending extra money for an upgrade should only be considered when there are specific items that make your current camera insufficient; otherwise, the A7 III or A7R IV might make more sense as first steps into mirrorless action photography.
Sony A7 IV
- 33MP full-frame Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor
- 8x more powerful, next generation BIONZ XR image processing engine
- Up to 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 w/ full pixel readout in all recording formats
- 7K oversampling full-frame 4K 30p 10-bit 4:2:2 w/ no pixel binning
- Beautiful color expression made simple with S-Cinetone color profile
Sony’s A7 series cameras have long been one of the premier options for wildlife photography, and Sony A7 IV builds on that tradition with its 33MP sensor offering pro-level quality stills and videos.
Furthermore, its hybrid system makes performing advanced tasks simple; featuring a sub-dial to quickly switch between photo, video, and S&Q mode (allowing time-lapse recording and slow motion video capture in camera) as well as a program in which settings are carried over when switching modes.
A7 IV’s mechanical shutter can also close when not in use, helping reduce dust build-up on its sensor. Furthermore, there’s also an ISO display button to easily change settings on location when making quick changes are necessary.
The A7 IV features many of the same improvements seen on its more expensive sibling, the A7S III, including improved tracking and eye-AF performance as well as an updated responsive touch screen. Furthermore, it can now record 4K at up to 60fps with 10-bit 4:2:2 color sampling that makes color-grading footage simpler for videographers.
However, the A7 IV doesn’t match up to the speed of A9 and A9 II in terms of burst shooting speed; only managing 10 frames per second for Raw+JPEG images before slowing to 6 for uncompressed Raw shots – not ideal when photographing moving subjects.
Due to its impressive dynamic range and noise suppression at higher ISO settings, the A7 IV easily handles low-light situations with relative ease. Its auto white balance performance was impeccable in each scenario we tested – from bright sunlight outdoors to dim indoor lighting conditions.
As with the A7S III, the A7 IV features an improved eye-AF system that can track moving subjects while automatically detecting faces in its frame.
Furthermore, when combined with its Focus Map feature – which effectively combines focus peaking with highlight warning via colored blocks that indicate which parts of a scene are out of focus – you can achieve even more.
Sony A1
- 50.1MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor w/ integral memory
- 8x more powerful, next generation BIONZ XR image processing engine
- Blackout-free shooting up to 30fps from fast sensor readout speed
- World’s first 240 fps refresh rate, 9.44M dot 0.64” QXGA OLED EVF
- World’s first anti-flicker mechanical and electronic shutter
The Sony A1 is a full-sized professional camera housed within a compact mirrorless body.
Designed to satisfy sports, wildlife, and action photographers’ needs for speedy autofocus performance in challenging conditions and an expansive dynamic range enabling the capture of detail in both shadows and highlights, making this camera is ideal for situations in which HDR photography may not be applicable or desired.
The A1 camera utilizes an innovative dual-drive mechanical shutter that is quieter and vibration-free than traditional mirrorless camera shutters, enabling an incredible 500,000 actuation count without needing replacement parts. Furthermore, its shutter closes automatically upon power off to provide extra image sensor protection.
Though its size is extremely compact, the A1 packs in an array of features. Notably, its high-resolution OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers an expansive field of view with clarity and responsiveness that should have users marveling.
Furthermore, this powerful machine boasts 30 frames per second autofocus performance via its eye-detection AF system for tracking moving subjects in real-time at 30 frames per second with eye detection AF tracking capability.
Wildlife photographers will value the addition of Real-time Eye AF bird mode that provides optimal tracking of fast birds. As one of the most advanced autofocus systems currently available on mirrorless cameras, it will come in handy for shooting birds in flight or against backgrounds that change rapidly.
Wildlife photographers will appreciate the A1’s superior low-light performance as an additional advantage when shooting wildlife photography.
It delivers exceptionally high-resolution images with minimal noise at ISOs as low as 50; in comparison, sports-oriented pro DSLRs may only provide half as much resolution at ISO 100 and often produce noticeable artifacts when used under low lighting conditions.
While Sony’s A1 camera is ideal for wildlife photographers, it has several drawbacks that should be noted. Primarily its expense and lack of advanced video features needed by professional videographers; additionally its menu system may be confusing to newcomers; although Sony has made some improvements since releasing A7S III.
Canon EOS R3
- High Image Quality with a Back-illuminated Stacked 24.1 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC X Image Processor with an ISO range of 100-102400; Expandable to 204800
- High-speed continuous shooting of up to approx. 30 fps with electronic (silent) shutter and up to 12fps...
- Improved Dual Pixel CMOS AF with 1,053 AF Points featuring Vehicle Detection as well as Eye, Face, Head,...
- The First EOS Digital camera to feature Eye Control AF
The Canon EOS R3 mirrorless camera aims to rival its DSLR predecessors in terms of high-end mirrorless performance.
Equipped with a 24.1-megapixel back-illuminated stacked sensor paired with a DIGIC X image processor for unparalleled optical excellence and burst shooting at 30fps with automatic focus/aperture tracking, ideal for professional sports photographers capturing fleeting moments in split seconds.
The R3 also boasts impressive video capabilities, supporting up to 6K at 30fps in RAW mode and oversampling 4K at up to 120fps recording speeds in both formats.
To provide superior focus control the camera features an industry-first Dual Pixel CMOS AF II focusing system which locks onto subjects in just 0.03 seconds with up to 4,779 individual points being recognized allowing maximum flexibility and tracking subject movement across scenes at light levels as low as -7EV – an industry first for any digital camera!
Other professional features available with the EOS R3 include an inbuilt ND filter to reduce light entering at wider apertures and an LCD menu item selection button for quick display on-screen.
Furthermore, shot assist tools including zebra stripes and focus peaking are included to assist users during capture as well as an audio meter for checking sound quality – however, there is no false color, waveform, or vectorscope display capabilities.
Inspired by Canon’s flagship EOS-1D X Mark III sports DSLR, the R3 offers professional users an intuitive experience with its integrated grip design and robust construction designed for use under harsh working conditions.
Water- and dust-resistant, capable of operating temperatures down to -40C, and compatible with Canon’s extensive array of EF lenses; furthermore it comes equipped with Canon’s Mobile File Transfer smartphone app which enables wireless image transfer between camera and phone while on the move – eliminating laptop transportation requirements and speeding workflow processes.
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